BEXLEY PUB SIGNS – Signs of the times?

Am I alone in thinking?...
I mustn't grumble, but...
When I was a lad, pub signs actually meant something...
They had style.
They had substance.
They had heraldic significance.
They had ‘bottom’ .


Now, I confess: the Royal Oak makes my sap rise, I drool over William Camden, and am deeply smitten by both the Jolly Millers and the Miller's Arms… (I suspect that the same artiste may have been responsible for both?). The sight of the Duke of Wellington or a glimpse at a Prince Albert certainly get my juices flowing….The One Bell definitely chimes with me, and The Royal Standard is very fine… But as for some of the others, well…

(Do you know, dear reader, I can scarcely bring myself to write down the dread name of one particular hostelry; the very memory of its heinous infamy makes me shudder...I shall have to use code here: XXXXXXX XXXXXX)

Whilst on my various peregrinations around our fair Borough I am constantly struck by the disparity between noble pub signs of distinction and, well, the rest.
Are they post-modern?
Are they trendy?
Are they chi-chi?
Or are they, in the words of our greatest philosopher-historians "just rubbish?"...

You decide, dear readers. Have you a favourite?.. But as for me, I shall remain resolutely in favour Ye Olde Pubbe Sign … (And, while you're deciding, dear readers, don't forget that our splendid Local Studies & Archives Centre might just be able to help you further your researches...sadly, however, they do not serve pints of warm mild or pickled eggs)... Ah well.

Let's hear your voice on this one. What are YOUR Bexley's best signs?

TTFN, topers!

WANTED:
Simple pleasures…

In these troubled & turbulent times, many of us are seeking “simple pleasures” – I know I am!
Hence, dear readers, it was with no little sense of delight that I stumbled upon a splendid little tome in our Libraries the other day - Simple Pleasures: little things that make life worth living. (I confess it, I let out a little `whoop` of delight at discovering it…a shameful confession from a practicing Librarian I know, but there we are…)

A slim (though exquisitely bound) volume, it contains a series of short, pithy and whimsical essays from some of our leading writers on the theme of their own `Simple pleasures`…Prue Leith on the joys of a nice hot bath, Antony Beevor on the allure of the owl, Clive Aslet on the delights of Ramsgate Beach, and many, many more…
It’s a National Trust publication, so as you’d expect (being a reader of some discernment) it’s all rather `green wellie & Aga saga` if you get my drift…
Nonetheless, there’s a great deal of wisdom and comfort and pleasure to be gained from reading it…I particularly liked Lucinda Lambton’s article on “looking up at tall buildings” and have been following her advice ever since (you’d be amazed at what you see, even if it gives you a stiff neck!). I also intend to start growing prize vegetables, and possibly even knitting…
It also contains one of the finest ten words of advice I`ve ever read: “If it is to be, it is up to me”…
Anyway, try giving it a read, and see what you think…

The Blogbrarian has been pondering greatly on the concept of pleasure, both his own and others…

The writer and bon viveur Sydney Smith’s idea of heavenly pleasure was eating pate de foie gras to the sound of trumpets…John Mortimer’s was drinking champagne cocktails in the lounge bar of the Royal Opera House…

Mine (being a more rough-hewn horny-handed son of the soil) would be sitting in my shed eating pork scratchings, ideally listening to Test Match Special whilst reading a book from Bexley Libraries…Oh, and possibly getting my garden gnomes ready for the summer season. And if I`m really pushing the boat out, maybe sculpting a life-size papier-mâché model of the late great Hattie Jacques…Or is that just too much to ask for?...

Anyway, at no extra cost, here are six of my seasonal secret simple pleasures:
1) Reading
2) Walking
3) Scratching
4) Watching herons in flight
5) Thinking about how to grow the largest, most perfectly formed vegetables ever seen in NW Kent
6) Using Bexley Libraries…

What are your Simple Pleasures?... Either in book form, or elsewhere?...Share `em with us (if decent) by using the comments feature below. But remember, the Hattie Jacques model is mine!

TTFN

Japan in Crisis…A Fragile Earth...

A serious blog, this week, as befits these serious times…

“All things have second birth”

wrote William Wordsworth

“The Earthquake is not satisfied at once”…

And how right he was, as we now see the terrible series of consequences resulting from this earthquake.

We’ve all been dumbfounded, I`m sure, by the recent series of catastrophes endured by Japan. And, I`m equally sure, we’ve all been impressed by the dignity, quiet stoicism and resolve of the Japanese people.

It struck me, too, about how little we actually know about the real Japan, either in fact or in fiction. And how fragile earth is, and our hold upon it.

I wonder what you think?...

BOOKS & ADVERTS…

Books!- they're packed full of juicy wordiness, with now’t taken out; eight out of ten cool cats prefer them, because your reading’s worth it…

We’re living in interesting times now, don’t you agree dear readers?...

On the one hand, the BBC is launching a whole season devoted to books, with ne’er an advert in sight. On the other hand, commercial TV is being allowed to increase the amount of time allocated to adverts during its drama programmes, while “product placement” is rearing its all-consuming head…Harrumph!
Well, as you’d expect from a proud, upstanding bibliophile, I`ve no time whatsoever for commercials…None. None whatsoever!
Hand on heart, I can honestly say without fear of contradiction that I`ve never ever EVER been influenced by adverts; books are the thing for me, they’re grrreeatt!

A book a day helps me work rest & play…Any time any place, anywhere.
And remember, these aren’t just books – these are Bexley Library books, from quite probably the best library service in the world.

(And don’t forget our Tweets on Bex-L – the Tweets you CAN read between meals)…
So…why not “Go to work on a book?”
Ours are full of snap, crackle, and pop

And, if you cast your mind way, way back to a distant age, a million housewives every day would pick up a library book and say “Bookz Meanz Finez”…(But not now, of course, because anyone can renew their books ONLINE…)
Can’t find what you want? Should’ve gone to Bexley Libraries…

What advertising slogan can YOU devise to help us promote books?
Or reading?...
Or (“Ssshhh – you know who”)…Librarians?

Just use the comments thingummy at the end here...
Well, that’s me done for another week…now, do you know what?...I`d love a Babycham.

TTFN

THE KING’S SPEECH
Celebrity, secrets & speeches…

Well, dearest readers, it wasn’t really a great secret was it?...
The King’s Speech magnificently trumped all its rivals to carry off a hatful of Oscars recently, and all very splendid it is too.
(Surprisingly, the present Mrs Blogbrarian and I have yet to venture forth to our local cinema hall to witness said motion picture, but all our chums say how marvellous it is…do you concur, dear readers? We’d value your recommendations, of course).

What is – however – no secret or surprise, quite naturally, is that Bexley Libraries have the book recounting this splendid tale…Locate its whereabouts by pressing THIS.
While you’re at it, esteemed reader, you might conceivably wish to delve further into the historical background to this story of our own dear departed King & Queen?....Simply press here – BINGO!

Now, if this previous information came as no great surprise to you, would you like to hear a few personal secrets from “close to home?”…
Yes?
Splendid!

Well, then…
* Secret number one…Public speaking:
The Blogbrarian (at moments of intense emotion, heightened excitement, or lecturing to assembled multitudes) has been known to “dry up” or stammer: thank goodness, then, that Bexley Libraries hold a vast treasure trove of books devoted to rectifying this particular difficulty – here’s THE SECRET
* Secret number two…Family shame
A very distant relative of mine (Great Uncle George) once hurled a clod of mud at the infant Queen Mother (both being of very tender years at the time)…No surprise, then, that Uncle George thereafter failed to receive subsequent mention in any honours lists…
* Secret number three…Celebrity secrets
still on an awards based theme, The Blogbrarian himself is no stranger to the lure of the red carpet, the joy of the flashing bulb, the clamour of adulation – how his heart swelled when he came fifth in the prestigious “cataloguer of the year” awards (1963) or was only narrowly pipped to the coveted “Librarian chappie in tweeds on the catwalk (1965)” prize…
Ahh, nostalgia. Ahh, fame…Oh, how I simply adore fashion…

Well, sadly, that’s me done for another week…

Don’t forget to join the debate about the King’s Speech (either book OR film versions) in the comments box below. Have you seen it? What did you think? Do let us know…

And, don’t worry, dear readers - this brush with flame and celebrity will NOT change me.

Ciao!
Mwah! Mwah!